What is Property? An Inquiry into Rights and Government

What Is Property? An Inquiry into the Principle of Right and Government, originally titled in French as Quest-ce que la propriété ?, is a groundbreaking work by French anarchist and mutualist Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, first published in 1840. In this provocative text, Proudhon famously declares that property is theft. He explores the multifaceted nature of property, drawing a line between its oppressive manifestations that uphold tyranny and its rightful forms that safeguard individual freedom. Proudhon asserts that genuine property is born from labor and active occupation while arguing that unutilized land should not be deemed property. His thought-provoking insights challenge the foundations of institutions like interest on loans and rent, making this work a pivotal cornerstone of anarchist thought and political philosophy.